Minister of Information and Media Cornelius Mweetwa has urged broadcasters to exercise caution when selecting guests for their programmes and to prioritize responsible and accurate content. Speaking during a capacity-building workshop organized by the Independent Broadcasting Authority (IBA) for broadcasters in Central Province, Mweetwa emphasized the media’s critical role in maintaining social harmony and promoting national development.
He warned that broadcasters must avoid disseminating misinformation, unverified claims, and hate speech, stressing that radio and TV platforms should never be used to propagate divisive rhetoric. “Such actions threaten peaceful coexistence and destabilize societal stability,” he said. The minister cautioned against giving airtime to individuals who promote division based on ethnicity, political affiliation, or personal grievances, and instead encouraged the media to champion messages of unity, respect, and harmony.
Mweetwa also called on the media to broaden its coverage beyond political reporting. He noted that in Central Province as in many other parts of the country—there are numerous untold development stories that, when shared, can inspire hope and contribute to the improvement of people’s lives.
Commenting on the country’s performance on the Corruption Perceptions Index (CPI), the minister said the government was pleased with Zambia’s improvement, having moved from a score of 37 in 2023 to 39 in 2024. He said the progress vindicates the UPND administration’s commitment to fighting corruption.
“This is an exciting moment for the government,” Mweetwa said. “Some stakeholders have claimed this is the most corrupt government, but this report from Transparency International Zambia (TIZ)—showing consistent progress over the past two years is unprecedented. We’ve moved six places from 88 to 92 in global rankings, and this reflects our fight against corruption without segregation or favour. We now await the reactions of those who doubted our efforts.”
Mweetwa concluded by stating that the government views this progress as a positive sign and called for continued support from all sectors to sustain the fight against corruption and build a better Zambia.